Thank you...

Thank you to the father who took me to that first cross country practice at 6:30am and who sat in his car, watching me struggle to run half a lap on the track.

Thank you to the mother who has always been my #1 cheerleader, but I know she had some doubt and fear about me finishing my first marathon.

Thank you to the student who once told me that he didn't think I would still be able to ride a bike, due to my loss of balance. That week I bought a cheap new bike.

Thank you to the NTID faculty person who I understood to have had told me that she thought I was too smart for those classes.

Thank you to all of the coaches I've had through six years of cross country and three years of track, but I thank one most of all, my first running coach.

Thank you to the endurance team that has supported me through everything, even though we are too spread apart to actually train together.

Thank you to the doctor who took some junk out of my back, sewed me up, asked how I was feeling and laughed when I said okay and then puked on his shoes.

Thank you to the friend who I met through facebook.com, before I came to RIT, and helped me realize who I am, even if she was blunt or harsh, I love you.

Thank you to the running club that patiently waits for every single person to finish every group training run and every race.

Thank you to the wonderful family who has opened their home to me and a group of amazing young ladies, numerous times, even though I'm always causing trouble.

Thank you to the NF doctor at Harvard who told me that I really should not swim at all, especially in open waters, due to my loss of balance. With caution, I ignored.

Thank you to my long time best friend, who has always been there for me, through the thick and the thin.

Thank you to the teacher who when I brought in a 23-page memoir draft for a 15-page assignment, told me I ought to write book, but I basically need to start over.

Thank you to the random people who have asked me how far I've ever run and when they get an answer, their jaws hit the floor and they called me insane.

Thank you to the doctors who have dealt with me, cut open my head - on numerous occasions, and gave me my ABI, so I can "hear" again.

Thank you to the wonder boy, my fiance, who always makes me feel like the most beautiful woman and loves me no matter what.

Thank you to everyone else who has made any impact on my life.

Thank you to God for making my life wonderful and continuing to do so!

For my daughter, Shannon...

For my daughter Shannon, who was diagnosed with NF2 in 2002.

I remember leaving home the day you were born. I thought, things will never be the same, and they weren’t.

What love, hope, inspiration and happiness you have brought into my life. I would walk into your nursery and you were always happy, smiling and reaching up to grab life with all the joys it can bring. That love of life and your ability to see good in all things around you has helped you and especially me deal with NF2.

Even in the face of adversity and illness you move forward with courage. You always find the positive side to the ravages NF2 causes to your body.  You have taught me so much and give me the strength to face what lies ahead. 

When NF2 took your hearing and you could no longer sing, you didn’t give up. You used your eyes to photograph all of the beauty you used to sing about.

When NF2 took your sight, you didn’t think of it as an ending but a beginning to teaching and helping others by showing them that no matter what their differences, or handicaps they are to be valued and can be productive members of society. 

Neither of us knows what lies ahead but together we can get through anything NF2 throws our way.  We will always move forward, always look up and embrace what NF2 can never take from us: OUR LOVE.

If I could take your pain away and have the NF2 instead of you I would.  I am always here for you. You are my hero.

Girl's Best Friend...

I first began running when I was 15 years old. Since then, running has been a perpetual part of who I am....it is where I seek shelter from the challenges of life and where I find bliss and serenity.

Through various phases of my life, running has been a constant. Like a best friend, it is always there to provide comfort and pride! I have never felt regret after a run; running has never let me down. I believe in the run because I know that no matter what I am facing, it will provide clarity and peace! 

I run to celebrate, I run to mourn. I run to forget, I run to remember, I run to relieve stress, I run to eat cookies and anything else. I run because it feels good, I run because it hurts. 

I run to help find a cure for NF! 

I may not always like to run but I will always love it and believe!